2007 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT pass rate: 60.5% (1,955 tests)
Is the 2007 159 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2007-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 62.3% -2.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 58.5% -6.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 59.8% -5.6 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2007 159
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 766 | 29.9% |
| 2 | Brakes | 486 | 19.0% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 334 | 13.1% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 324 | 12.7% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 211 | 8.2% |
| 6 | Tyres | 179 | 7.0% |
All 159 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 (this page) | 1,955 | 60.5% | -4.6 pts | 115,890 |
| 2008 | 1,978 | 59.5% | -5.7 pts | 124,640 |
| 2009 | 2,189 | 62.1% | -4.3 pts | 118,817 |
| 2010 | 1,964 | 61.4% | -6.0 pts | 116,530 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2007 Alfa Romeo 159 reliable?
2007-registered examples passed 60.5% of their MOT tests (1,955 tests, 2023–2025), -4.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 19 years old with a median 115,890 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2007 159?
The median tested example shows 115,890 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2007 159?
In this cohort petrols pass 62.9% of tests against 59.5% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.